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songerein2023-02-14 12:58 pm
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2023-02-14 12:58 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- -tdm,
- aera mirus fleuret,
- aether,
- alisaie leveilleur,
- alphen,
- anastasia romanova,
- ann takamaki,
- azula,
- barok van zieks,
- beatrix,
- bennett,
- childe/tartaglia,
- cloud strife,
- daisukenojo "beat" bito,
- dante sparda,
- della duck,
- demyx,
- denji,
- dohalim il qaras,
- erichthonios,
- eustace,
- ferran gallagher,
- flowey,
- futaba sakura,
- g'raha tia,
- general nuadha,
- gina lestrade,
- goro akechi,
- hayato gokudera,
- ienzo,
- ira,
- iroh,
- isabela madrigal,
- jason grace,
- kainé,
- kate bishop,
- kazuma asogi,
- ken amada,
- kisara,
- kiyomitsu kashuu,
- kor meteor,
- kratos aurion,
- lady,
- leo valdez,
- link (botw),
- link (oot),
- lyria,
- madhuri qalli,
- magilou mayvin,
- martel yggdrasill,
- meilin "mei" lee,
- mikleo,
- miriam,
- najaran,
- naminé,
- nico di angelo,
- nier (father),
- noctis lucis caelum,
- norimune ichimonji,
- pauline bonheur,
- penny,
- percy jackson,
- phantom,
- portgas d. ace,
- prompto argentum,
- reaper,
- riku,
- rob,
- rokurou rangetsu,
- roxas,
- scaramouche/wanderer,
- senku ishigami,
- seto kaiba,
- shealtiel,
- sheik (zelda),
- shikanoin heizou,
- shinjiro aragaki,
- shionne imeris,
- sleeping beauty,
- solanaceae,
- soldier: 76,
- somnus lucis caelum,
- sora,
- sorey,
- stolas of ars goetia,
- susato mikotoba,
- thancred waters,
- tifa lockhart,
- trahearne,
- unnamed,
- velvet crowe,
- venti,
- xiao,
- yasusada yamatonokami,
- yuri hyuga,
- zack fair,
- zelda (botw),
- zenkichi hasegawa,
- zhongli,
- zuko
{ stroke of midnight }
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
Although the Masquerade is being held on the night of the Fourteenth, some new problems arise in the days after. This log is split into two sections, the Masquerade and Around Town. Everyone is free to participate in either or both, whichever catches your interest.
More details on everything can be found here and here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here with arrival details here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in February and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of February 14 through 28. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count February as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.
IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.
TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open Wednesday, February 22nd and Applications will open on March 1. Our next cycle after won't be until JULY.
TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view, updated 02/22)
Avatar: The Legend of Korra - Korra
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Iroh
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - Miriam
Chainsaw Man - Power
Dr. STONE - Dr. Senku Ishigami
Elsworld - Noah Ebalon (Nyx Pieta)
Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Strife
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - Zack Fair
Final Fantasy XIV - Erichthonios
Final Fantasy XV - Noctis Lucis Caelum
Final Fantasy XV - Prompto Argentum
Genshin Impact - Shikanoin Heizou
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - Solanaceae
Katekyou Hitman Reborn - Hayato Gokudera
Kingdom Hearts - Ienzo
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Link
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Sheik
Marvel Cinematic Universe - Kate Bishop
NieR: Automata - 9S
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Jason Grace
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Nico di Angelo
Persona 3: FES - Shinjiro Aragaki
SinoAlice - Sleeping Beauty
Tales of Arise - Shionne Vymer Imeris Daymore
Tales of Symphonia - Kratos Aurion
Tales of Symphonia - Martel Yggdrasil
Tales of Zestiria - Mikleo
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Sena
Your Wings and Mine - Shealtiel
We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.
I. MASQUERADE
It's time for the masquerade and the carriages will start arriving before sunset. Upon arrival, everyone who leaves the carriage (or mercilessly spat out if they try to resist) will be greeted by fairy godmothers with an eye for the most dramatic and extravagant fashion. It's a masquerade, after all! For those who already arrive with their outfits, the fairy godmothers may add a little embellishment here and or just change it completely if they think it could look better. For those who did not, they will create a whole new outfit that would fit the wearer perfectly—with magic of course. They will also create the masks and half of the glass slipper brooch that everyone will wear. The masks are enchanted so that regardless of obvious personality or physical traits, they are somehow unrecognizable at first. While it is possible to figure it out through interaction, or if it's someone they already know well, it's more likely they need to reveal their identity first. These outfits can be kept even after the masquerade is over.
A. Get in the Carriage. As the pegasus drawn carriages begin to arrive to transport those who have decided to attend the masquerade, there is some commotion from others. The pair of coach mice—who are only about four feet tall—can be found smiling and cheerily squeaking about the masquerade as they grab and literally throw protesting individuals into the carriage, whereupon the door will immediately shut behind them. Ho ho ho, it'll be such a grand time! Will anyone try to help the poor soul? Or perhaps help the mice? Maybe you're a struggling victim instead. Should anyone want to try and drive the carriage, they might have a chance…but good luck having the pegasi listen to them. Eventually the carriage will land and take them to the front of the castle where the masquerade is hosted.
B. Half of a Pair. Near the entrance, everyone is encouraged to pull out one or more of the shoe brooches contained in a large bowl. The rules are simple: 1) use the brooch to lead them to the person wearing the other half; 2) spend whatever time or activity with them, be it general socializing, a dance, a walk in the gardens; 3) keep the brooch or return it to a designated "Used" bowl. The brooches will absorb whatever kind of dreamotion energy is formed between the two, and the stronger it is, the brighter (if positive) or darker (if negative) it will glow. The interaction can be romantic, platonic, or hostile. For those who do happen to "click" and wish for some privacy, there are numerous terraces and balconies available. Some are public, but there are quite a few with curtains, so be sure to close them to signal the balcony is occupied!
C. Dancing in the Air. The main draw will be the dance floor, and the ballroom is wide and spacious to accommodate numerous pairs to dance to their hearts' content—the music is played by enchanted instruments so they'll keep going without much of a break! Of course, what makes this dance floor truly special is how it uses dreamotion energy to lift everyone up—literally. Pairs who are having a fun time may find themselves floating up and dancing in the air instead of on the ground. Somehow they can maintain some balance…but it's just as easy to lose it. D. Royal Banquet. There are numerous tables one can use and be served an assortment of foods. In fact, one could make special requests and somehow the dragons serving will be able to make it, or at least as close as possible. One just has to imprint the idea of the dish onto a special card that the chefs will use to recreate it. There are also two bowls filled with special tear drop chocolates, one with only white, pink, and red, and the other filled with the other colors. The "game" is to randomly choose one from each bowl and share a kiss depending on what is picked.
E. Out in the Gardens. Every castle has extravagant gardens, and this one is no different. Filled with numerous pink, red, and white flowers, the gardens have their typical fare…with not so typical effects.
- Extravagant mazes that one could easily get lost in are common, but what's special about these gardens is that the flowers will emit a soft, sweet scent that will feel as if they are walking through a dream. In fact, the section they are going through will begin to change to look like a place from their world and must now find their way out. When this change happens, only those who are in the area will be affected and no one else can enter the area until the main person affected gets out. Those inside can help, and there are no threats—it's all in simple fun…unless the place evokes certain memories and emotions for the person. Might not be as fun for them, then.
- A crystal greenhouse where the temperature is perfectly warm (or cold!) and houses various different flowers. Here some may recognize flowers from their world, the scents also creating nostalgia. There are instructions left that indicate anyone can try to help grow the flowers. The key ingredient will be dreamotion energy, and should they succeed in creating a blossom, a small marble containing a symbol of their home. There are also special daisies that can be used to play the "they love me they love me not" game. If the last petal is "they love me," then become extra flirty and clingy. If it's "love me not," they become angry, jealous, and possessive. The effects only last for a short time…unless they keep plucking flowers.
- The white fountain in the center of the gardens will have a bit of a musical playful side. It will splash colorful water at any who pass by, chime-like notes playing out as it does. But if one were to drop a flower that has absorbed positive dreamotion into its water, it will calm and let people sit to look and relax. There is also a strange frog wearing a crown that claims to be a prince. For those who believe its words that a kiss will free him from the curse, they will be sorely disappointed as nothing happens and the frog just laughs and hops away.
II. AROUND TOWN
A. Mask Up. Attracted by the masquerade, some enchanted masks have found their way to town and are now finding their way onto people, be it by tricking their victims to be put on or just forcibly latching themselves on. Depending on the type of mask, the wearer will behave based on a festive, dramatic emotion. While wearing the mask, the dreamotion that is projected is stronger. Examples are angry emotions will cause tremors and cracks on the ground, happiness could blind people or will cause confetti to fly everywhere, while sad ones will cause clouds and drizzling rain to appear overhead. The only way to remove it is to somehow make the other person feel the opposite of whatever emotion the mask is using. Once the mask’s emotion is countered and stabilized, it could be removed or even fall off if the countering emotion is strong enough. Masks can also be captured and collected before they attach to someone.
B. Special Messages. Throughout the month, valentine's are being delivered to people all over town. Some are even receiving some from the fae and dragons who live outside… Perhaps some caution should be had from those. Regardless, while the messages are brimming with both platonic and romantic (and questionable) love, the messengers are a bit… Well they need help.- Insightful Mockingbirds. Special mockingbirds are flying around and perch on random shoulders. They have the ability to "read" a person's thoughts and repeat them out loud. Without warning. Hope there aren't any secrets because that bird is going to make it public, especially if it's an observation or thought—good or bad—about another person. Good luck shooing it away, too—it'll stick around for a while because it might enjoy sowing this bit of chaos.
- Arrow Delivery. The group from last year have decided to use their prank arrows for good and start a business in delivering special Valentine's messages via arrow. A "shot to the heart" in the less literal sense this time! While some of their archers are skilled, others are…less so. Some are hitting a bit too close to comfort or way off the mark. Some messages are going to the wrong person entirely. Help avoid, retrieve, or even deliver these messages around town.
C. Candy Kisses. A special assortment of flat bottomed, tear shaped chocolates are currently selling like hotcakes and can be found practically everywhere. Their main selling point is they come in different colors and each color has a special effect that will make the eater want to kiss the person near them in a certain way (see chart). Some people are deliberately swapping the wrappers around, so be careful!
D. Bleeding Hearts Return. It's Valentine's, yet Cupid is nowhere to be seen. That is because he's still corrupted from last year and now he's thirsting for love, any love. Using the Bleeding Hearts from last year, Cupid is using them to gather all that jealous, possessive love, but of course that's going to make it worse. We're not tackling Cupid here, but the main goal will be helping those who are afflicted by the Bleeding Hearts and purifying them via dreamotion instead of just destroying them. Purifying the Bleeding Hearts with pure love—romantic, platonic, familial, reminders of how they are loved and cared for by others—will help Cupid. Of course this could backfire and make the person feel worse, so be careful!
greenhouse
At least, until the other man in there with him spoke up. So much for peace and quiet. With a sigh, he keeps his distance, close to the entrance in case he felt the need to duck out and try someplace else.]
No. If you're so worried, maybe you should water them yourself.
[His reply is curt. He wasn't here to make friends. Especially not with this dress still on. The mask though, he's a little thankful for. Not that he would admit it out loud.]
CLAPS HANDS LIKE A SEAL!!!
He's use to dealing with the stiff types, though. And while his back is still facing Cloud he let's out a loud, almost exasperated sigh before straightening up, rolling his shoulders before replying: ]
Maybe that's what I'll do. But c'mon man, no need to— [ he'll turn while he's speaking, but the words will suddenly get caught in his throat the moment wide eyes land on Cloud. ]
—Huh!?
[ WOMAN? Wait, wasn't that a man's voice he just heard? Could it have been someone else in the room, too? A small flash of panic whirls over his face before he attempts to try to recover. ]
Oh, uh, where...? [ Elegant. The most elegant is he. ]
STEEPLES FINGERS
Yes, the dress is nice. I've heard it a thousand times tonight.
[That same voice Zack heard earlier was definitely coming from this woman? man? in front of him. With another sigh, Cloud starts to debate if he should just leave at this point, moving to stand upright instead of leaning against the greenhouse's glass panels.]
Forget it. I'll find somewhere else that's quiet.
SCREAMING
He stammers for a moment when Cloud responds poorly to his statement (and, to be fair, it wasn't the most gracious of reactions) and instantly feels bad about it.
A dress is a dress to him. Zack can barely tell any of the ones in the party tonight apart. He just wasn't expecting the voice to go along with it-
But he'll try to recover the situation by hurriedly moving in Cloud's direction as he straightens up to move, slightly blocking his way to the exit. ]
Look, I'm sorry. You just surprised me a little, is all! [ How does one even... compliment a dress. Did he actually look nice in it? It was easier to see now at this distance due to the low lightly of the area, and honestly the fit wasn't half bad. ]
It's not something everyone could pull off. [ Certainly not himself! ]
no subject
Flattery's not going to get you anywhere. Now move aside.
[Not waiting for the other man to do so, Cloud pushes past him, shoulder-checking him (if he even could!) on his way out.]
no subject
Zack was close enough now to full see the scowl in all of its glory, and that certainly didn't help to realize that maybe complimenting the dress wasn't a good idea.
He'll learn one day, he swearsBut something did slightly catch his eye upon further inspection of the other's expression. Those eyes... huh. Something about them seemed so familiar, almost too familiar. Was he... no-He was losing this battle fast, and was already hastily making enemies within the first couple of hours arriving here.
But that shoulder-check. Ooooh, he was really pushing it. ]
I said I was sorry, okay!? Would you hold on a second— [ Face scrunching into a scowl of his own his subconscious reflex kicked in to snatch Cloud, admit a little forcefully than he initially thought, by the arm in order to pull his weight back to address him.
He was going to clear the air whether he liked it or not. ]
no subject
But that thought barely crosses his mind as he comes crashing into the man, his momentum enough to knock Cloud into him and onto the floor. There's a flutter of fabric and lace as they both come tumbling down in the most undignified way possible, thankfully surrounded by nothing else besides plants and flowers.
After the initial wave of pain passes, Cloud lets out a grunt, pushing himself off the other man. Unknowingly, his mask had come loose in the fall, causing it to hang slightly off his face. But before he could react to fix it, something else draws his attention. Now up close and personal, he can't help but look at the other man's eyes, not because he was suddenly attracted to him, but because he could tell that those eyes were unmistakably eyes filled with mako.]
Here? But how—? [Articulate as ever, Cloud.]
no subject
He had not expected the force of his pull to be as strong as it was. That, mixed with the footwear worn by the other man made the combination a disaster waiting to happen. He felt the pressure against his chest but was unable to react fast enough before tumbling to the ground.
His back was the first to hit the dirt and pain instantly shot throughout his entire body. Thankfully he managed to keep his head up from slamming into the ground but the impact, along with the addition weight against him, made it difficult to recover faster than he normally would have. ]
Ow ow ow... [ He winced, only slight dazed from the fall. But as his vision cleared and he was able to fully open his eyes... they were now locked with the face of the person who collided onto him.
That face, who's now bright mako eyes glistened the moment the mask fell to the side of his face.
Zack stares. Stunned. His body tensing up and face turning a sheet of white. He doesn't dare move, and almost doesn't breathe when the simple word eases off his lips: ]
... Cloud?
no subject
He could feel his body tense up as well as it went into fight or flight mode, his wide-eyed look shifting as his brows furrowed and his teeth clenched tightly together. Just who was this guy? Another SOLDIER? Here? And where was his sword when he needed it?
A painful pang began to grow in the back of his head, but he fought through it, ready to hold his ground, dress and all.]
How do you know my name?
[He'd been careful all night, not sharing it with many people, especially because he still wasn't sure what to make of this place yet. Just maybe he had bumped into another SOLDIER, but he can't be too sure.]
no subject
No, there was no mistaking it. That was Cloud.
But... how? Nothing was adding up right now. He was with Cloud just a few moments ago. Zack had tipped an old man on the side of the road what little scraps of gil he had left in order to hop in the back of their pickup truck. It was a large stretch of nothingness; a dirt road with little cover from the pursuing Shinra military. But it was convenient, and the last ride that was needed before they finally reached Midgar. He remembered hosting Cloud's limp (light, he was so light) body into the back of the truck and chatting with him as they rode along. But Cloud never responded back- he never did recently, not after the experiments that were done to the two of them.
This Cloud though, the one staring back at him with a flight-or-fight expression was actually talking. He was speaking and moving and okay.
Did he... also look a little older? It was hard to tell right away, but the emotions swelling up in his chest and throat made any other thought hard to process. All he knew at the moment, all he was able to register, was that somehow... someway... Cloud was able to recover from all of this. ]
How? [ He's almost a little flabbergasted that Cloud didn't recognize him right away, but he could tell the man was clearly on edge. So cautiously, carefully, Zack will slowly begin to remove his own mask while lifting up his free hand in order to hold it out to Cloud. Giving a gesture that mimicked a sort of "hold on, wait a moment" movement.
Once it was removed he idly let it fall to the floor beside him before fully visible brows furrowed together in worry. He still managed to smile though, if not a little weary. ] It's me... it's Zack.
no subject
The briefest look of recognition graces Cloud's features.]
Zack?
[As soon as the name leave his mouth, a sharp pain shoots through his head and it begins to throb, pounding violently against his skull. The quietness that surrounded them only moments ago is pierced through by a droning ringing playing in his ears—a sound only he can hear.
Cloud clutches his head, folding into himself as he knelt on the floor. This particular headache is strong, stronger than normal, and he doesn't know why. Most times it would pass after a few moments but this on persisted longer than he was used to.
He opens his mouth and no sounds leaves him at first, then he begins to groan in pain.]
no subject
He seemed like almost an entirely different person here, and for a moment was swept up in all of the strangeness of it all. He wore clothes he had never worn before, eaten food he'd never experienced, danced with beautiful women, all while dismissing it as a dream.
The dream that would soon break him back down to reality when he watched Cloud crumbled under his own weight.
Cloud was sick, poisoned by years of prodding and poking. The mako infusions had been too much on his body, and even though it looked like he was finally doing okay Zack's mind could only rush through the worst case scenarios.
He was hurt, he had to help him- ]
Cloud!! [ In just a few seconds as the blond began to cradle his head Zack had thrown himself up off of the floor and dashed to his side. Dropping to his knees as bright eyes scanned over his body for any signs of further injury.
He goes to place both of his hands on either of Cloud's shoulders, giving them a hard and concerned squeeze. ]
It's okay— I'm right here! Hang in there!
no subject
It hadn't been the first time he'd seen it before. Many other SOLDIERs had been the same, regardless of rank. Seeing them was something that he had grown accustomed to over the years that he worked under Shinra's thumb. And yet still, there was something about his eyes that told him differently. That it wasn't just any other SOLDIER's eyes.
Tentatively, his hand moves to grip Zack's wrist. Cloud opens his mouth once more, trying to find the words, but comes out empty. Instead, he tries again:]
Zack—?
[The name leaves his lips once more and in an instant, another jolt of pain shoots through him, the sides of his head throbbing as the thrumming in his ears grows louder and louder. Why isn't this one leaving him be like the others in the past have?
But deep down he knows that he knows this man somehow. The name is familiar on his lips but foreign in his mind. Had he simply forgotten somehow?
Though his grip on Zack's wrist tightens and the corners of his eyes wince in from the pain, he fights it through it this time around, shaking it off to ask:]
I— How do I know you?
no subject
He had witnessed for himself what mako could do people; the transformations that could occur, the monsters they could be. Their physical aspects had not changed all that much (Zack's infusions had been successful. Ideal. And he was stronger because of it), but something inside of them had changed.
Something was not right at all.
The grip on Cloud's shoulders tightened ever so slightly, and it was Zack's turn to try to muster up the strength to respond back. He wanted to encourage Cloud. He wanted to let him know that, much like their getaway to Midgar, that he was going to protect him. He wanted to let him know that—
"How do I know you?
...
Immediately Zack's heart dropped to the floor.
His face paled, a mixture of shock and confusion flickering simultaneously across his furrowed brows. Panic, sadness, horror.
Had the poisoning done this? Cloud never spoke to him since they broke out from that manor but Zack knew. He could feel the recognition of his subtle movements. He could see it in his eyes when Zack would try to tell a funny joke and flop, or when he had fed him in the late evenings after the sun had gone completely down. How could he have possibly forgotten about him?
He couldn't figure it out, not now, but what he did know is that currently whenever Cloud said his name it hurt him. The headaches were new to Zack, possibly another side effect, and he had to try to find a way to mitigate it's hold on Cloud.
Slowly he will loosen one hand's grip as he lets it fall idly to his side. With the other, the one that Cloud's holding so tightly, he'll move his hand to pat the blonde's shoulder instead. Mustering everything, everything he had to try and smirk before finally letting out a dry whisper. ]
You, uh... you don't, actually. At least not that well. [ He's closing his eyes to pull back his emotions he can't look at himself in the reflection of Cloud's eyes as he was lying. ]
Shinra. A mission or two. [ A pause, his voice rasp. ] Sorry if I confused you.
[ In the distance, at the back of the green house, the lilies slowly began to wither and lose their color... ]
no subject
Shinra. That's right. That made sense, didn't it? It wasn't as if Cloud could keep tabs on everyone he's had to interact with during the missions that he was sent on in the past. This man must have been—no, apparently was one of them. He could remember the name, but his face.
But now, knowing this, he can't help but be on his guard. His body tenses under Zack's grip, this time for a completely different reason. Shinra was his enemy now, and even if the company didn't exist in this dream world, the two of them could still very much be enemies. His expression hardens, lips pressing tightly together.]
Right. Didn't think I would bump into someone from Shinra here.
[He can play friendly... for now. His hand finally falls back to his side, using it to get back on his feet, pushing himself off the ground to stand to his full height.]
You still working with the company?
[All he needs to know is where you stand with them. And in turn, where he stands with you.]
no subject
Zack always found it difficult to hide his emotions, but he at least attempted to conceal the wave of relief that flooded over his body in the form of relaxed shoulders. His facial expression too seemed to lack the tension it once held, but the pain in his eyes still remained.
The man was grateful Cloud seemed to be doing better... but how long was he suppose to keep this up? Had Cloud really not remembered who he was?
The reply was enough confirmation as any. He would roll with the punches for now, careful not to tread on thin ice until he was able to figure out how badly the condition was, and continue to be just as he always was with Cloud.
A friend. ]
Ha! [ A hard, almost forced laugh jumped out of his lungs. Boy oh boy, this was only getting worse. ] Nah, not anymore. Let's just say I had a bit of a falling out with them... [ In the form of 'becoming a fugitive'.
But that at least left Zack with an opening for conversation. He smiled, patted his legs to brush off any of the dirt that had lingered from the ground before pushing himself up...
only to go back down again.
and back up.
then down once more. ]
What about you? Still getting a paycheck from them? [ Annnd he's back up. ]
no subject
He watches for a moment, albeit confused by the motions. But seeing that it didn't seem to be stopping any time soon, he shifted his weight to the side, resting a hand on his waist.
For the briefest of moments, he couldn't help but wonder if this Zack had been a friend of Jules', maybe.]
Haven't been since I left and made my way to Midgar.
[Sound familiar, Zack?]
no subject
No Zack. Calm down, play it cool. His memories were all whack, remember? Or maybe this had something to do with the crazy place they currently found themselves in.
This place didn't look like anything he's seen in Midgar before, much less Gaia. Maybe some weird time materia magic was involved, or maybe Cloud really was... different? He couldn't be too sure yet. ]
Man, so you did make it. [ The relief is still hanging in his voice but he's curious. So to piece together his own suspicions, he'll press just a little further. ] Lemme guess: mercenary work?
no subject
More importantly, the gears began turning in Cloud's own mind. Had he known ZAck for longer than he was letting on? He didn't have a lot of friends while he was in Shinra, much less in SOLDIER— But he was speaking as if he knew of Cloud's plans for when he made his way over there.
Maybe he had said it in passing before. Not that he could remember very clearly.]
Yeah. How'd you know?
[Cloud's own curiosity gets the better of him, his tone guarded once again, with just a bit more edge.]
no subject
Zack didn't know quite yet, and it probably wouldn't be until later on, but the Cloud in front of him... it was almost like he was from a different time. Sometime in the future, perhaps? As weird as it sounded in his head he could only draw the same conclusion time and time again the more he thought. His appearance, Midgar, and now even this.
The conversation rang loudly in his mind.
"Mercenaries, Cloud. That's what you and me are gunna be!" ]
Isn't that what everyone does? Seems like the quickest way to make some gil coming from what we use to do.
[ He'll continue his squats for two or three more sets before finally stopping, letting his hands rest on either side of his hips. ]
I dunno if you could do that here, though— maybe? Still haven't figured out what this place even is. [ He turns to Cloud fully now, offering another small smile. ]
Think we could check it together?
no subject
Guess so. Yet sometimes you keep having to add a little extra for the things people ask for.
[While he and Barret have stopped butting heads as often since, Cloud still found it frustrating how much the bigger man kept delaying his pay. He realizes that had slipped out without him meaning to, but it wasn't more information than he was willing to share right now. So he settles for moving his hands to cross his chest once more.]
We're in the same boat there. Didn't have much time to get my bearings before I was brought here.
[We're not going to talk about how he was somehow overpowered by mice. When he was able to fight them back, more of them kept coming.
His eyes stray to gesture behind them, the large, looming castle still alight with the ongoing party, a few balconies dotted with occupants whispering sweet nothings to one another or otherwise. Would a place like this need someone like them? If the dragons were any indication, maybe.
Cloud doesn't accept the offer outright, still not quite finished sizing Zack up. His eyes turn to meet the other man's, seeing the same glow as his own mako eyes again.]
You any good at fighting?
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Heh. So even Cloud was negotiating his pay? That's a far cry from the usual timid disposition he almost always gave off. Zack kept having to remind himself this was the same Cloud despite the differences, but he was proud that he seemed to have gotten out of his shell. ]
Brought here? So much for a proper welcoming. Looks like we're on our own to figure it out. [ There's gotta be a dragon or fairy or mouse that knew something right? He didn't quite get the opportunity to ask when he first arrived. However, now that he was reunited with Cloud, it seemed like a better time as any to look for information.
Cloud's question made him pause, before his smile shifted into something a little more playful. ]
Not to brag or anything [ he was ], but I'm kind of a big deal. [ For the first time since he arrived here, Zack will laugh. Genuinely. He throws a thumb to his chest, grinning wildly at the blonde. ] Dunno if I'm as good as you, though. Anyone who can fight in heels has way more skill than me!
[ Just going to... casually do a once over at Cloud's outfit. It was too good of an opportunity not to take it. ]
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Though he had been receiving a number of compliments throughout the night, he had brushed off most of them in frustration. This one, however, he had not expected. Not with what the two of them were discussing prior.
A noise somewhere between shock and embarrassment tumbles out of his lips before he could stop it. Almost instantly after, Clouds's brows shoot up in his forehead, his mouth hanging open in surprise. His eyes widen as he makes eye contact with Zack and, almost as quickly, he turns away, looking to the ground as a hint of red colors his cheeks just so.]
I'm not wearing this when I have to fight.
[Even his stance shifts, his arms now seemingly more defensive than guarded. The movement was enough to make the dress rustle around him, almost feeling like it poofs out even more. His embarrassment even causes a few nearby red flowers to fully bloom, feeding off the dreamotion coming off of him.
Did this dress have to be so extra?]
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For a moment Zack was convinced that the Cloud he knew was no longer; replaced with a more stern, slightly grumpier version of his former self. But he caught it... that smallest bit of nervousness that creeped back in, almost too quick to tell.
The reaction was almost too good, and Zack had to resist every urge in his body not to tackle the other man with a hair ruffle.
No, not yet. For now they were just strangers, acquaintances at best. He would have to work harder if he wanted to get the Cloud he once knew back. ]
Ahaha! Shame, I'd be really impressed if you could. [ He attempts to stifle the last bit of laughter with a hand over his month, trying not to tease the poor man any further. ]
Let's go find you some other clothes, then. Sure we could grab some more information along the way.
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Unfortunately Tifa had seen him earlier—seen him in his get up again. Now that was when he truly felt shame that night, having someone he knew see him that way, especially because it had been her. And now, though he didn't not recall Zack well, he felt it again for the second time that night.
Cloud had been of the mind of turning on his (unfortunate) heel and leaving when he hears the last thing out of his companion's mouth. He's unable to stop an audible exhale as a wave of relief washed over him.]
That's the best advice I've heard all night. [Then he adds, his tone just a little cockier:] And if we're lucky, it'll come with a stiff drink.
[Because man, did he need one right now.]
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